The wolf or Canis Lupus is a carnivorous mammal. Also, it is one of the most controversial animals due to its wild beauty and because many people still consider it a threat.
This animal is a carnivorous mammal with a great capacity to adapt to different ecosystems. However, the wolf, although carnivorous, does not only eat meat. If you want to find out what feeding wolves consists of, be sure to read this article on our site.
The wolf
Before delving into the wolf's diet, let's do a general review of its characteristics. We have already seen that it is a carnivorous mammal, but there is much more to tell about them.
The length of a wolf is usually around between one and two meters. Its height to the shoulder averages between 60 and 90 centimeters. In terms of weight, a medium-sized wolf is around 50 kilos.
Its coat has two layers, an outer layer that is more resistant and strong whose function is to protect the inner layer, which is more fine and bushy. His mission is to protect the wolf from the cold and the rain. Its fur is very similar to that of the husky.
As for color, wolves can come in many colors. Normally, they combine black and white with red, brown and ocher colors.
A wolf can live between 8 and 12 years. Within a pack, only the alpha male and beta female mate, and they only mate once a year. The cubs, on the other hand, will be protected by the entire pack.
His sense of smell is especially powerful. In fact, this olfactory ability, together with their prodigious night vision, allows them to hunt at night. Their great night vision is due to a special layer behind the retina of their eyes. You may be interested in knowing that dogs have the same ability, in this other article on our site we talk about whether dogs can watch television and other myths about their vision.
The blood from the wolves' paws is also special, as it regulates the body temperature of the entire animal. Plus, it prevents ice spurs from forming on its hooves.
Another characteristic of wolves is that at the base of their tail they have a gland that produces a distinctive and unique scent for each specimen. Thus, they can identify with each other, just like with dogs.
Types of wolves
There are multiple subspecies of wolves, although all of them can be grouped into four large groups:
- Red Wolf
- Brown wolf: the Iberian wolf belongs to this group
- White or arctic wolves
- Grey Wolves
Wolf feeding
As we mentioned before, the wolf is a carnivore and its diet is mainly based on medium-sized animals:
- Pigs
- Goats
- Deer
- Reindeer
- Horses
- Yaks
- Bisons
- Sheep
- Chamois
- Deer
- Antelopes
- Moose
However, the diet of the wolf depends a lot on the habitat in which it is found, we already commented previously that they are animals with a great capacity for adaptation. In fact, other prey are known within a marine environment such as seals. In Alaska and Canada, wolves have been known to have eaten salmon
Although wolves always travel in packs, there are cases of wolves traveling alone. The reason that could have led to these specimens being left without companions of the same species is unknown. These lone wolves are forced to hunt smaller prey (snakes, birds, or rodents). In situations of food scarcity they are able to eat fruits or plants.
How much does a wolf eat
Getting enough food for a pack is tricky. Therefore, when they manage to catch a game they usually eat it whole. They will only leave the skin, skull and longer bones.
While part of the pack performs the function of hunting, others stay to protect the cubs. The hunters will be in charge of providing food to both groups of wolves.
A wolf usually eats a pound and a half of meat a day, but in order to reproduce successfully this amount must rise toThree kilos.
At one time, a hungry wolf can eat 10 kilos of meat. However, it is an animal that is prepared, if the situation requires it, to spend several days without eating.
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The fauna of our world is impressive and precious. If like us, you are a lover of animals, do not forget to visit our news and curiosities section to find articles that show you the fauna of the Arctic Tundra, differences between the Bengal and Siberian tigers or the feeding of the panda bear.
